High School Preview: Mira Costa

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are a five athletes to watch from Mira Costa High School:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='189560' first='Taylor' last='Deckert'] </strong></strong>| 5'8” | 2025 | L | <br>The fast and active moving feet of [player_tooltip player_id='189560' first='Taylor' last='Deckert'] are a focus point with her game. She makes multiple split step moves as the ball rebounds around her opponents. When the ball is hit, Deckert is stopped and quickly gets to the floor. All of this movement makes one think she is unbalanced. Far from true though as her balance stays steady throughout her preparations. This back and forth and up and down is complemented with patience. Specifically, she finds a way to let the ball come to her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202009' first='Chloe' last='Hynes']</strong> | 6'0” | 2024 | OH | <br>[player_tooltip player_id='202009' first='Chloe' last='Hynes'] is a straight ahead and zone six hitter. This is usually successful for players that open up their shoulders well. What makes her effect is the ability to close those shoulders to a trained line shot. This flexibility in the air makes her an impressive offensive option for her team. As a blocker, she touches a height of the second red on the antenna. When it comes to serve receive and defense, Hynes just seems to know where to be. Her position on the court allows her to keep the ball a good distance away from her body. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442654' first='Lauren' last='Becker']</strong> | 5'10” | 2025 | OH | <br>A driving hitter, like [player_tooltip player_id='442654' first='Lauren' last='Becker'], finds the last five feet of the court often. When she is not challenging backcourt defenders, Becker is challenging a blocker's arms. With all that ball control, she manages a way to take what the ball gives her. For example, if a set is inside she goes with it and adjusts. Not only does that happen on offense, but also on defense as well. She moves her body low with excellent agility and absorbs the speed of a ball by contacting close to her body. Don't sneak a tip in there because she will run it down! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='195732' first='Hayden' last='Lin']</strong> | 5'5” | 2024 | S | <br>A lefty with a jump float serve, like [player_tooltip player_id='195732' first='Hayden' last='Lin'], is a great start for any match. After her mighty serve, she gets to her defense spot and then takes big steps to set. These big steps generate a lot of momentum that open up her range of passes she chases down. Additionally, these steps prepare her well to go against the flow with ease. A very patient defenders will react to make plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKenna Collins</strong> | 5'11” | 2024 | OH | <br>The very end of the approach to hit of McKenna Collins is something that will catch the attention of a passerby. When she roams in on an angle, she suddenly whips the ball to a deep corner. Her fast arm stays outside of her body that allows her to utilize her wrists at the last second as well. Additionally, her outside the body arm swing provides the entire court to hit to. As much as that opens up the court, she can handle an inside her body set with a well placed tip. When Collins passes, she keeps her body back and arms out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->